What Directorate Of Horticulture does

The Directorate of Horticulture is the nodal department of the Government of Bihar, under the Department of Agriculture, headquartered at 2nd Floor, Krishi Bhawan, Mithapur, Patna - 800001. It is responsible for implementing central and state horticulture development schemes across all 38 districts of Bihar, including MIDH/NHM, PMKSY, RKVY, and the state-funded Chief Minister Horticulture Mission (मुख्यमंत्री बागवानी मिशन). The Directorate serves 1,53,554+ recorded beneficiaries across at least 15 scheme categories covering fruits (banana, mango, litchi, papaya, dragon fruit, fig, strawberry), vegetables, flowers (marigold), mushrooms, makhana (fox nut), honey beekeeping, tea, betel vine, spices, and protected cultivation, along with entrepreneurs, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) seeking commercial horticulture infrastructure support.

The Directorate does not generate commercial revenue. Instead, it receives state and central budgetary allocations and disburses them as subsidies, grants, and scheme benefits to farmers, entrepreneurs, and FPOs. Its go-to-market is a sales-led, scheme-driven model executed through a four-tier administrative hierarchy (state, division, district, block), supported by 54 District Horticulture Officers, block-level horticulture officers, 339 block nurseries, 234 cold storages, 2 Centers of Excellence (Chandi in Nalanda and Desari in Vaishali), and event-based outreach (Makhana Mahotsav, Aam Mahotsav, Udyan Mahotsav).

Its core technology is HortMIS (Horticulture Management Information System), a web-based platform hosted at horticulture.bihar.gov.in that handles scheme applications, beneficiary registration, project-based activity approvals, and tracking across Makhana, Mushroom, Post-Harvest Management, Coconut Distribution, and other schemes. The Bihar Krishi mobile app (Android, Google Play Store) extends the same workflow to farmers via smartphone. Sub-portals exist for the National Makhana Board and Coconut Sapling Distribution. An integrated DBT Agriculture Bihar portal enables direct benefit transfer to beneficiary bank accounts, ensuring transparent fund flow. Key institutional partnerships include APEDA (export promotion, integrated pack house at ARI Mithapur), National Horticulture Board (Mithila Multi-Commodity Cluster), MOFPI (pack houses and cold chain), National Bee Board, ICAR-NRC Makhana (variety development), and BARC (litchi radiation shelf-life extension from 3 to 60 days).

Name

Directorate Of Horticulture

Legal name

Directorate of Horticulture, Department of Agriculture, Government of Bihar

Website

https://horticulture.bihar.gov.in

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Directorate of Horticulture is the Government of Bihar's nodal department for horticulture development, implementing central and state subsidy schemes across 38 districts to support farmers, entrepreneurs, and FPOs in fruits, vegetables, makhana, beekeeping, and protected cultivation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government Horticulture Development Services

NAICS

Regulation of Agricultural Marketing and Commodities (92614), Soil Preparation, Planting, and Cultivating (115112)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Farm Operations Planning & SOP Development (AFACAJAB)

Keywords

• Horticulture development schemes
• Government agriculture services
• Subsidized farm inputs
• Post-harvest infrastructure
• Farmer training programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Patna

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Scheme Implementation: The Directorate does not generate revenue but disburses government subsidies and scheme benefits. Revenue comes from government budgetary allocations (state and central) which are then distributed to beneficiaries (farmers, entrepreneurs, FPOs) as subsidies, grants, and scheme benefits for horticulture development activities.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Directorate of Horticulture, Department of Agriculture, Government of Bihar, is the nodal state government department that implements central and state horticulture development schemes (MIDH/NHM, PMKSY, Chief Minister Horticulture Mission, Makhana Development, Mushroom Production, Honey Beekeeping, Protected Cultivation, Coconut Sapling Distribution, and Vegetable Development) for farmers, entrepreneurs, FPOs, and FPCs across all 38 districts of Bihar. It disburses government subsidies, grants, and scheme benefits for horticulture inputs (seeds, plants, equipment), post-harvest infrastructure (cold storage, pack houses, mushroom units, ripening chambers), micro-irrigation, and market linkage support. It operates the HortMIS web platform and Bihar Krishi mobile application for scheme applications, beneficiary management, and tracking of scheme disbursement through Direct Benefit Transfer.

Product overview

Directorate of Horticulture, Bihar operates a multi-platform digital ecosystem comprising the HortMIS (Horticulture Management Information System) as the core platform, supported by specialized portals for National Makhana Board, Post Harvest Management, and Coconut Sapling Distribution schemes. The ecosystem includes the Bihar Krishi App for mobile access and a Scheme Dashboard for centralized access to government horticulture programs. These platforms collectively enable farmer registration, scheme applications, beneficiary tracking, and government-to-citizen service delivery for horticulture development across Bihar.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• National Makhana Board: A dedicated board under the Directorate for the development of the complete Makhana (fox nut) value chain covering 21 districts of Bihar.

Products and services

• HortMIS (Horticulture Management Information System) Comprehensive web-based management information system for implementing horticulture schemes, tracking beneficiaries, and processing online applications across multiple government programs including Makhana, Mushroom, Post-Harvest Management, and Coconut Distribution. Used by farmers, entrepreneurs, FPOs, FPCs and government institutions across Bihar.
• Bihar Krishi App Android mobile application published on Google Play Store enabling farmers to register and apply for horticulture schemes of the Government of Bihar. Downloadable as com.dfs.biharkrishi; serves as the mobile counterpart to the HortMIS web portal.
• National Makhana Board Portal Dedicated online portal for the National Makhana Board to process applications for the Makhana (fox nut) development scheme covering 21 districts of Bihar. Allows farmers, FPOs, exporters, and processors to apply online for the Makhana value chain program.
• Scheme Dashboard Online dashboard providing centralized access to the Directorate's horticulture schemes, including National Makhana Board, Mushroom-related schemes, Post Harvest Management, and the Coconut Sapling Distribution Scheme. Serves as the public entry point to apply for schemes under the Directorate.
• Coconut Sapling Distribution Scheme State scheme providing subsidized coconut saplings to farmers across all 38 districts of Bihar at a 75% subsidy (₹86.25 per seedling at ₹115 cost). Online application portal accepts farmer registrations for sapling distribution.
• Post-Harvest Management and Mushroom Production Project-Based Scheme Online registration and project-based application system for Post-Harvest Management infrastructure and Mushroom Production schemes. Covers rural markets, cold storage, pack houses, mushroom units, and other post-harvest infrastructure with model DPRs, guidelines, and checklists. Used by entrepreneurs, FPOs, FPCs, and firms.

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAPEDA is a statutory body under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. The Directorate collaborates with APEDA for export promotion of fresh fruits and vegetables. Joint initiatives include establishment of APEDA/MOFPI Approved Pack Houses for export of fruits and vegetables at Agriculture Research Institute, Mithapur, Patna. APEDA provides market linkage support and export certification for Bihar's horticulture produce including makhana.
• National Horticulture Board (NHB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNHB is a government organization under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, GOI. The Directorate implements National Horticulture Mission schemes in coordination with NHB. Collaborative programs include cluster development initiatives like Mithila Multi-Commodity Horticulture Cluster, Bihar. NHB provides technical guidance and partial funding for protected cultivation, nursery development, and post-harvest infrastructure.
• MOFPI (Ministry of Food Processing Industries)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMOFPI is a ministry of the Government of India responsible for food processing sector. Joint initiatives with the Directorate include establishment of APEDA/MOFPI Approved Pack Houses for export purposes. MOFPI provides scheme support for food processing infrastructure including cold chains, processing units, and pack houses.
• National Bee Board (NBB)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Bee Board promotes honey beekeeping and honey production in India. The Directorate implements beekeeping and honey production schemes (मधुमक्खी पालन एवं मधु उत्पादन योजना) with 6,758 beneficiaries under the guidance of NBB. NBB provides technical standards for bee box, hives, and honey extractor equipment.
• Bihar Horticulture Development Society (BHDS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBHDS is the implementing society for horticulture development schemes in Bihar. The Directorate operates through BHDS for scheme implementation, fund management, and procurement activities. BHDS handles empanelment of agencies, suppliers, and service providers for various horticulture components including poly houses, shade nets, mulch film, honey bee equipment, and planting materials.
• ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) - NRC Makhana, DarbhangacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNRC Makhana (ICAR) in Darbhanga conducts research on makhana crop and participatory seed production. Collaborative research initiative for makhana development with ₹193.89 lakh allocation for research and seed production. ICAR provides technical expertise and improved varieties for makhana cultivation.
• Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), MumbaiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBARC developed technology for extending shelf life of litchi fruits from 3 days to 60 days using radiation technology. Pilot project implemented in 7 litchi-producing districts (Muzaffarpur, Vaishali, Samastipur, Sitamarhi, Shivhar, East/West Champaran) under the Litchi Protection Campaign (लीची सुरक्षा अभियान) with ₹113.29 lakh funding.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• National Horticulture Board (NHB): Central government body under the Ministry of Agriculture that oversees national horticulture development including the MIDH/NHM scheme framework that Bihar's Directorate implements. Directly comparable as the upstream policy and funding authority that shapes the schemes the Directorate delivers at state level.
• Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India: Central ministry that designs and funds MIDH, PMKSY, and other centrally sponsored horticulture schemes implemented by state directorates including Bihar's. Comparable as the apex policy authority whose scheme frameworks the Directorate translates into state-level delivery.
• Department of Agriculture, Government of Bihar: Parent organization of the Directorate of Horticulture, overseeing all agricultural activities in Bihar including crop production, soil health, and extension services. Comparable as the umbrella government body that coordinates horticulture with broader agricultural policy and budget allocations in the state.

Others

• Bihar Horticulture Development Society (BHDS): Implementing society for centrally sponsored horticulture schemes in Bihar, operating under the Directorate for scheme execution, fund management, and procurement. Comparable as the operational arm through which the Directorate channels scheme benefits, empanels agencies, and manages infrastructure deployment.
• ICAR-NRC Makhana, Darbhanga: Indian Council of Agricultural Research's National Research Centre for Makhana located in Darbhanga, Bihar. Direct collaborator on makhana varietal research and participatory seed production with ₹193.89 lakh allocation, making it the technical research counterpart to the Directorate's makhana scheme implementation.
• APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority): Statutory body under Ministry of Commerce that the Directorate partners with for export promotion of makhana and other horticulture produce. Comparable as a key ecosystem enabler that provides market linkage, certification, and export infrastructure that determines the commercial viability of Bihar's horticulture schemes.

Direct peers

• Department of Horticulture, Government of Karnataka: Karnataka's state horticulture department implementing similar central schemes across a horticulture-leading state known for grapes, mangoes, and coffee. Comparable in structure and mandate, with more mature horticulture commercialization outcomes that offer a benchmark for Bihar's emerging horticulture sector.
• Department of Horticulture, Government of Maharashtra: Maharashtra's state horticulture directorate implementing similar centrally sponsored schemes across a much larger agricultural base. Comparable in structure (state department with district offices and field officers) but operates in a more horticulture-developed state, making it a benchmark for scheme scale and beneficiary outcomes.
• Department of Horticulture, Government of Uttar Pradesh: UP's state horticulture department implementing similar central and state horticulture schemes including MIDH, PMKSY, and state-specific programs. Operates with comparable multi-tier administrative structure and subsidy disbursement model to Bihar's Directorate, making it the closest functional peer in terms of mandate and execution model.
• Department of Horticulture, Government of West Bengal: West Bengal's state horticulture department implementing similar centrally sponsored schemes with focus on pineapple, mango, and vegetables. Direct peer as a neighbouring state department addressing comparable small/marginal farmer challenges and operating under the same central scheme framework.

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/HorticultureBih
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@HorticultureBR
• Instagraminstagram.com/horticulturebih
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/horticulturebih

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Directorate Of Horticulture